INDIANA — Following a series of violent early-summer storms that brought destructive winds and a historic wave of tornadoes to central and southern Indiana, state officials are urging residents to remain vigilant against fraudulent cleanup and repair schemes.
A continuous barrage of severe weather—including a top-10 historic tornado outbreak on June 11, followed by severe flooding and EF-1 and EF-2 tornadoes across southern and southwestern Indiana on June 18 and June 21- has left widespread structural damage throughout the region. Property damage in areas like Gibson, Scott, Jefferson, and Warrick counties has prompted the Indiana Attorney General’s Office to issue an advisory warning homeowners to protect themselves from predatory “storm chasers.”
“Storms can be unpredictable and devastating, but the aftermath can be even worse, potentially leaving you vulnerable to financial ruin,” Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita warned in a statement regarding the pattern of disaster fraud. “Our office stands ready to assist Hoosiers and hold scammers accountable.”
The Anatomy of a Storm Scam
Unscrupulous, unlicensed individuals often flood hard-hit communities immediately following natural disasters. These bad actors prey on desperate property owners by promising rapid, low-cost repairs. Typically, they will demand significant upfront down payments or full out-of-pocket cash payments, only to vanish without starting the project or to deliver highly inferior, dangerous work.
State authorities and consumer advocacy groups also warn against deceptive charity scams targeting well-meaning Hoosiers trying to donate to regional recovery funds. Officials emphasize that genuine emergency response entities, including FEMA, never charge citizens application fees to access federal disaster aid.
Tips for Vetting Contractors
The Indiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division advises strict skepticism toward door-to-door solicitations and immediate, unvetted repair offers. Homeowners are encouraged to adhere to the following safety protocols before hiring any worker:
- Conduct Deep Research: Request local references and review consumer feedback through online portals or the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to verify corporate reputations.
- Verify Professional Credentials: Always ask to see a contractor’s physical identification, applicable state or municipal licenses, and concrete proof of bonding and liability insurance.
- Acquire Multiple Written Estimates: Obtain comprehensive, itemized quotes from multiple businesses to gauge proper market pricing and explicit project scopes.
- Insist on Finalized Contracts: Secure every project detail, timeline, and material list in a legally binding written agreement. Never rely on verbal handshakes or informal promises.
- Avoid High-Risk Payment Methods: Do not agree to financial transactions involving cash, wire transfers, digital gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Most importantly, never pay for a project in full up front.
How to Report Fraud
Hoosiers who suspect they have been targeted by a storm-related repair scam, high-pressure salesman, or fraudulent charity should document the interaction and file an official consumer complaint immediately.
Reports can be submitted online by visiting the state’s consumer hub at indianaconsumer.com or by contacting the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division directly at 1-800-382-5516.
